Writing and Art Contests

Each winter the Dayton Holocaust Resource Center sponsors two contests for students in grades 5 through 12. Click on the links below for complete details about the contests, including this year’s themes and deadlines. Contact rene @ daytonholocaust.org with any further questions.

The theme for this year’s Lydia May Memorial Holocaust Writing Contest and Max May Memorial Holocaust Art Contest is:

“Inspirations from the Holocaust: Shine a spotlight on a lesser known Holocaust survivor, rescuer or liberator who inspires you.”

We especially recommend using our “Faces of the Holocaust” videos, available on Youtube and Teachertube (search “Dayton Holocaust”). Emphasis is on “lesser known” – these are the real heroes, people who survived or helped others to survive and did not become famous for it through a book or movie. Aside from the fifteen people on the “Faces of the Holocaust” videos, many inspiring stories can be found at the Jewish Virtual Library, The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, the website of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Remember.org, Israel’s Yad vaShem, and other sites. And we are happy to make suggestions.

Entries must be submitted by Friday, April 12, 2019. Click on the links below for full information.

In 2002 we published a booklet containing some of the best contest entries from the past decade. Contact us if you would like copies, or view the entire booklet here. (large PDF file)

In 2003 and 2004, a selection of Art Contest entries were exhibited at the Webster Street Market, the Dayton Art Institute, and Sinclair Community College. Click here for the complete exhibit catalogue – thanks to Jill Wysong of the DAI.

Since 2004, selected Art Contest entries have been exhibited at the Dayton Art Institute. Some of these are pictured on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DaytonHRC